Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has revealed the 5% allocated from the state budget to manage councils can bring significant results.
Addressing the Councillors Conference 2019 organised by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Speaker Mohamed Nasheed said the decentralisation system was established in 2011 for the betterment and the development of the citizens living outside the capital city. Noting the Decentralisation Act clearly specifies islands, reefs and lagoons connected to the islands are within the mandates of the respective councils, the former Maldivian president expressed dismay as benefits from the aforementioned areas are not given to the councils. He mentioned councillors and councils have proven to be qualified and responsive within the past 8 years, stating the administration and MDP itself completely trust the councillors.
Speaking regarding the amendments proposed to the Decentralisation Act, Parliamentarian Ali Niyaz said the administration envisions empowered councils. Reiterating the decentralisation system is a vision supported by MDP, Niyaz claimed the decentralisation system did not functioned as it should during the past presidencies. Niyaz expressed while minor infrastructure projects such as road development and harbour construction must be managed by the councils, such minor activities are also handed out by the central government in the capital city. He further said the authority to conduct societal beneficial projects and minor development projects will be released to the councils.
Moreover, disseminating information regarding the conference, the first Mayor of Male' City Council Mohamed Shihab said councillors will be given the opportunity to question cabinet ministers during the conference, adding the sessions will widely assist in shaping the decentralisation system.